self winterizing i/o ????

[mr d]

I can not believe the cost...150.00. +++ nthen add oil

the previous owner did self winterizing... the shops look at ya like your MIGHT ruin your engine. I have done outboard motors never i/o... I know there are how to sights but looking for do it your selfers feed back.. MN is getting cold but I want to keep some of my $$$ too.

thanks

[bassNspear]

talk to marine main, of check on the post about winterizing here in this fourm!

[marine_man]

Winteriziing a I/O isn't terrible, but a lot of work, and the potential is there to do great damage.

The big thing is to make sure all the drain plugs are pulled, fully draining the block, as well as making sure RV antifreeze gets into all the low points in the block that might hold water.

It's not hard work, but you sometimes have to be a bit of a contortionist to reach all the plugs and the oil filter.

marine_man

[boatfixer]

What exactly do you have? 4 cyl, V-6, V-8.

On 4cylinders you will need to drain the block, manifold and possibly a power steering cooler.

On V blocks, you will need to drain both sides of the block, both exhaust manifolds, power steering cooler, engine circulating pump.

After removing the drain plugs, use a piece of wire or something simalar to make sure the drain holes are clean. Often rust, sand etc, will collect and prevent the water from draining. In 20+ years I have rarely used antifreeze unless specified by the boat owner. I had a long time customer though, with a Glastron Carlson with a jet that we had to run antifreeze into because short of pulling the engine, (which we did once to install a remote oil filter and drain kit.) there was no access to the drain plugs. In normal situations, if its done correctly, there is no need to add antifreeze. Thats my method. However no damage will ever result from doing so.

[Eckie]

I have a Volvo 4.3 Liter and have winterized myself for years. Boatfixer is right on the money with his suggestions, but I always run anti-freeze thru it until it comes out the drain plugs (to make sure all the water is out) and then replace the plugs. My engine has a total of 4 plugs (two for the block and one for each manifold).

Don't forget to also fog the engine and add stabilizer to the fuel.

[Surface Tension]

If its your first time I'd refer to your manual.

If you miss one petcock or plug you'll have a large bill come next Spring. Mercruiser was pretty good with owners manual which included very detailed instructions w/diagrams.

If you don't have the original manual your library will.

$150 might sound high but not for a total winterization which would include scheduled maintenance that should be done besides changing oil, adding stabil, fogging, and draining the block.

Pulling the drive and greasing the drive shaft spline. Inspection of drive, exhaust and shift bellows. Inspect U joints. Grease the gimble bearing and all other fittings.

Drain Lower unit and fill(hopefully you don't have a leak).

Replace fuel filters and water/fuel separator.

That is what I can think of off the top of my head that should be done before you put the boat away. In essence, the boat should be ready for the water next Spring.

You can add straight anti freeze for trapped water and for rust prevention if you want.